Here’s my weekly round-up of events for the week of June 4 – 10 on Mercer Island:
Lunch Bunch Storytimes in the Park
Tuesday, July 5, Noon – 12:45 pm
Deane’s Children’s Park (Dragon Park), 5500 Island Crest Way
Bring your lunch to Dragon Park and enjoy stories while you munch! Family program offered by the Mercer Island Library. All ages welcome.
Adventure Playground Kick-Off Event
Tuesday, July 5, 2 – 3 pm
Deane’s Children’s Park, 5500 Island Crest Way
JayMarc Homes, sponsor of Adventure Playground, is hosting a kick-off event for all interested families. JayMarc Construction Managers will be present to conduct small demonstrations, help kids with their own projects, and answer questions from young aspiring builders.
Adventure Playground is a one of a kind play area that allows kids to create their own play adventure. Nestled in the wooded forest of Deane’s Children’s Park, children are provided toolboxes, various building supplies, safety items and the freedom to create build-it-yourself play zones with the guidance of Staff.
Learn more >>
Storybook Corner
Wednesday, July 6, 10:30 am
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE
Bring your little ones in to enjoy popular picture books read by our staff or special guests.
Learn more >>
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, July 6, 10:30 am – Noon
Mercer Island Temporary Location, 8501 SE 40th Street
Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art and playing. Play & Learn is in English. Sponsored by the Mercer Island Friends of the Library.
First Thursday: Art + Wine Event
Suzanne Zahr / SZ Gallery
2441 76th Ave SE, Suite 160
Art & Wine Tasting Event – 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Join us this First Thursday, July 7th, for our monthly Art & Wine Tasting event, hosted at the SZ Gallery on Mercer Island. The Islander will be pouring wine tastings paired with seasonal bites.
ART:
Oil Paintings by Gitte Peters, Artist in Residence | Oil Paintings by MUGGI, Artist in Residence | Select Works by Paul Laws, Mercer Island Artist | Ash + Ames Jewelry by Jennie King.
WINE:
The Islander Wine Club – Stock Your Cellar Event & Wine Tasting – Taste 20+ wines, all 10% above cost!
Clarke & Clarke Art + Artifacts – Art, Antiques, Bubbles & Bonbons
7605 SE 27th St Suite 105
Art & Wine Tasting Event – 5 to 8 pm
Join us for a glass of bubbly and a bonbon as we open our doors for this Thursday’s Art Walk along with Suzanne Zahr and The Islander.
Plus enjoy the works of Northwest mid-century painters, potters, and glass artists as well as a carefully curated selection of antique and vintage-art pieces from Asia, the Himalayas, Indonesia, New Guinea, the Philippines, Africa, India, North and South America.
Learn more >>
Mercer Island All Comers Track Meet
Thursday, July 7, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Mercer Island High School Track, 9100 SE 42nd St
Kick off Summer Celebration weekend with Mercer Island’s 3rd Annual All Comers Track Meet! What does “All Comers” mean? It means all able bodies ages 1-99 are welcome to run, jump, or throw. Gather a team for a relay – whether the members of your family or your employees for a fun team-building activity. No need to sign up. Just show up ready to have fun! And don’t forget to stretch. There is a $5 entry fee. Check out the event flyer for a list of competitive events.
Sound Coach: a Reading Relay Readathon
Thursday, July 7, 7 – 8 pm
Mercer Island Library Temporary Location, 8501 SE 40th Street
Presented by Charlie Williams, The Noiseguy. Compete in a reading relay and be fascinated about the speed of sound. Watch vocal aerobics or get in the game and perform, too! Learn about and watch vowel vaults, synchronized sibilance and premise stretching. Registration not required, but space is limited. Family program, all ages welcome.
Shakespeare in the Park
Thursday, July 7 & Friday, July 8, 7 pm; Saturday, July 9, 2 pm
Luther Burbank Park Amphitheatre, 2040 84th Ave SE
Sponsored by The Mercer Island Arts Council, Wooden O will bring plays to life, engaging audiences of all ages, in the beautiful, outdoor setting of Luther Burbank Park.
Love’s Labour’s Lost
Synopsis: The idealistic resolve of four young men gets tested by four young ladies who show up at their doorstep. The King and his friends vow to abstain from women’s company for three years. They plan to devote their time to academics. The Princess of France and her ladies arrive for a visit just as the vows leave the men’s lips. It’s will against want and heart against head in this delightful summer romance.
Friday Flicks
Friday, July 8, 1 – 3 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St
Drop in and enjoy a movie among peers: “Begin Again,” starring Keira Knightley. Coffee will be provided! Registration is not required. FREE.
Forest Stewardship & Restoration Event
Saturday, July 9, 10 am – 2 pm
Island Crest Park, 5500 Island Crest Way
Summer celebrations continue in our beautiful forested parks and open spaces. Join your friends and neighbors to remove invasive plants and care for native plantings. All ages welcome! We provide tools and supplies.
Free Family Swim at Mary Wayte Pool
Saturday, July 9, 1 – 2:30 pm
Mary Wayte Pool, 8815 SE 40th St
After you have enjoyed the Summer Celebration parade, get out of the heat and take a dip at the Mary Wayte pool, for a free family community swim. Come back refreshed, for more festival fun. A Let’s Move Mercer Island event!
Mary Wayte Pool website >>
Summer Celebration Events
Saturday, July 9th & Sunday, July 10th
Various locations
Get ready for a wide variety of interactive musical activities, live music and more! The festival will also include boat rides around the island, a parade, car show, fireworks and food trucks, children’s ride, art/craft vendors, food vendors, Obliteride Kids Ride, and the Swedish Pancake Breakfast.
Saturday, July 9
- Obliteride Kids Ride: 9:00 am, follows parade route
- Parade: 10:00 am, 78th Avenue between SE 27th St. and SE 32nd St. downtown Mercer Island
- Downtown Festival: 11am to 7pm, Mercerdale Park and streets surrounding the park
- Fireworks & Food Truck Festivities: 6:00 – 10:30pm, Luther Burbank Park (*shuttles from City Hall begin at 6:30 pm)
Sunday, July 10
- Downtown Festival: 10:00 – 5:00 pm, Mercerdale Park and streets surrounding the park
- Swedish Pancake Breakfast: 9:00 – 12:00 pm, near stages in Mercerdale Park
- Car Show: 10:00 – 3:00 pm, Farmers Insurance parking lot
